Thursday, July 26, 2012

Missionary work can be challenging. It has its really hard days where there is nothing but rejection. But it has its great days, when things go well, and especially when someone gets baptized. These days make the hard days all worth it. Always, missionaries who are finishers are stronger than when they began.

For senior missionaries who work in the office, the most difficult part of missionary work is saying goodbye to great young men and women whom we have grown to love. It seems to get more difficult every time. This group of missionaries was no exception.

After dinner, 11 missionaries left the honbu and went out either proselyting,

getting referrals from members (Fulfillment and Follow-up), working with

members, or doing "To The Rescue," which helps part-member and

less active families.

Elder O'Kelley, Brother Shinohara (from the Meito Ward), Elder Skankey
and Elder Ward. Brother Shinohara could easily be called "Brother Service."
He helps with everything in every way, and practically every time.

Sister Shaver with Sister Kubota (who will be leaving on a mission
herself in the next month) and Sister Liu. Both are superb
ward missionaries.

And finally, dinner at home with 11 tired missionaries.Elder Ellsworth, AP on left, Elder Barney andElder Koesashi (commissarian) on right.

The next day, we enjoyed the pleasure of a piano/cello rendition.So much talent! (Elder Honda and Kaminishi)

Elder Matsunaga (left) with his trainer, Elder NakanishiElder Subaru Matsunaga is from Tokyo, Japan. He is very proud of his mother, who is deaf and uses sign language. She is a wonderful woman. He likes to watch movies and make stories and videos. He studied film making when he was in the US, and also studies editing and script writing. It is both a hobby and a major.Elder Nakanishi makes friends fast and is positive and friendly. He became converted to the Church when he traveled to Salt Lake City and attended General Conference.

Elder Kaminishi (left) with his trainer, Elder SambongiElder Shimon Kaminishi has joined missionary lessons often, and has felt that missionary work is a gift from God. He has recognized the strong testimony and great love and power of the spirit. He knows missionary work is the work of God and that God will help us as we teach. Elder Kaminishi is from Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan and has been preparing hard to go on a mission and go to college.Elder Sambongi plans to be a dentist. His greatest talent and hobby is music. He plays string bass and was a member of Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra and played with Utah Symphony where he toured in Italy.

Elder Honda (left) with his trainer, Elder Soliai

Elder
Takumi Honda comes from a family of eight.He will serve

his mission at the same time as his younger
brother.Elder Honda is from

Tokyo,
Japan and he and his brother have been going to the temple every

week in preparation.He has lots of hobbies,
and especially mentions reading,

sports, driving cars, drawing, travel, and
piano.His is very optimistic and has
a

strong testimony of the Gospel.He
knows the Gospel makes us better.

Elder Soliai hasn't planned his future occupation, but he knows he can

be successful if he remains obedient to the commandments.

He is accepting, humorous and adaptable.

Elder Harada (left) with his trainer, Elder Kuwahara

Home
to Elder Yoshiharu Harada is Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. His family loves to go camping, and they do
it often. Elder Harada loves to watch
sports and play baseball. He also
enjoys puzzles. His goals include
learning English (to help him have a world view) and having an eternal
family. His strengths are trying lots
of things, being patient, and having unity.

Elder Kuwahara wants to master English and travel. He enjoys

making people smile and has many friends. He is also

obedient and a good listener.

Sister Fujisawa (left) with her trainer, Sister Stott

Coming
to us from Tokyo, Japan, Sister Kaho Fujisawa has a brother also

serving a
mission. She says her family loves to
talk together, and they work hard.

She
has learned a lot through sports and hopes to do sports for a long time.

Sister Stott plans to become and educator, focusing on elementary students,

but she also likes graphic design. And temple marriage and motherhood

are also in her plans. She is a caring, but also determined person.

Sister Stott always wanted to serve a mission, and when she found out she

had to wait until she was 21, she cried.

Elder Kaneko (left) with his trainer, Elder Kishi

Elder
Norikazu Kaneko is from Nakano, Tokyo, Japan.
His father, brother and he converted to the Church 7 years before his
mission. His mother has always been a
member and was the influence to their conversion. Elder Kaneko loves to cook and plans to go
to culinary college after his mission.
He also enjoys sports, music and movies. He likes to pray and feels it is a great
blessing to be able to talk with God.

Elder Kishi has a talent for singing, cutting paper into wonderful animals

and shapes, juggling and card tricks. He is cheerful and positive and

makes friends with everyone. Children especially love it when he is around.

He is a hard worker and has a strong testimony.

Elder Seipel (left) with his trainer, Elder Hilyard

Orem,
Utah is where Elder Mckay Seipel calls home.
He is the youngest in a

family of five and both of his siblings have
served missions. Elder Seipel wants to
become an electrical engineer, get married, be a lake artist and a photoshop

artist.

Elder Hilyard is a hard worker and loves

to read the scriptures. He says he is shy until he gets to know people

and is good at empathy. He wants to get a degree in science or business

and master in Japanese Language. He was surprised, though,

to be called to Japan.

Elder Roney (left) with his trainer, Elder ShimoharaElder Jarom Roney, from Heber City, Utah, is the third of six children. Both of his older siblings are serving missions at the same time as him. Elder Roney loved growing up in a small town, and has enjoyed travel, sports, board and card games with his family, but he doesn't care for hiking, hunting and fishing. Tennis, basketball and badminton are his favorite sports, and he loves to read.

Before his mission, Elder Shimohara was really into computers. He likes building

and taking things apart. In college, he was part of a team that built a small

unmanned submarine. He says he is kind of serious, but when he loosens up,

he is just a normal goofy guy.

Elder Metsatahti (left) with his trainer, Elder Gish

Only
the second missionary to serve in this mission from Finland, Elder Niklas
Metsatahti is from Turku in Suomi. He
is the oldest of six children and loves to read comics and draw. He also enjoys board games. He says he is kind and can

adapt to
situations well. He doesn't like
giving up, and is normally cheerful.

He knows the Book of Mormon and its teachings are true. He has liked Japan

for a long time, so he
is looking forward to serving here.

Elder Gish would like to become a good father like his own. He would also enjoy

coaching high school baseball or lacrosse. He is outgoing and never nervous.

It is easy for him to meet new people and speak in any size crowd. He is kind

and wants to make people happy. Ever since he was a little boy,

he has wanted to serve a mission.

Elder Baker (left) with his trainer, Elder FinlinsonFrom Salem, Oregon, Elder Kevin Baker is interested in history, politics and studying religion. He says they all help to further understanding of why we are here and how it relates to us today. His other hobbies are reading and playing paino. Elder Baker plans to enlist in the US Army and attend BYU when he finishes his mission. He wants to make a difference in the world.

Elder Finlinson says that he thinks he has a small presence despite being tall.

And he doesn't like to talk about himself.He is also a fast learner.

Elder Yoshizawa (left) with his trainer, Elder Tojo

Elder
Touya Yoshizawa comes to us from Sagamihara, Kanagawa,

Japan.He and his two brothers were involved in
cubscouts and scouting when

they were young, and really enjoyed that.He also enjoys many games and the
computer.He says he has a good memory
and great dexterity.He has a

testimonyof prayer and has been
blessed to always find answers

when he needs them.

Elder Tojo's favorite scripture (D & C 25:12) is about singing hymns. Singing hymns gives him peace. Elder Tojo has a great smile and is obedient. He is good with his hands at making things, like assembling furniture. He also plays guitar.

About Me

Family Theme
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, and we have endured many things, and hope to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report of praiseworthy, we seek after these things. -13th Article of Faith